Birth and Death Registration Challenges in India

April 17, 2025

Recently, the Registrar General of India (RGI) issued a circular urging hospitals to report births and deaths within 21 days. This was prompted by findings that 10% of such events were unregistered. The RGI aims for universal registration under the amended Registration of Birth and Death Act, 1969.

Current Status of Registration

As of 2025, about 90% of births and deaths are registered in India. However, the goal of 100% registration remains unachieved.
In 2011, birth registration was at 82.4%, while death registration was at 66.4%.
The 2023 amendment to the RBD Act made registration mandatory and increased penalties for negligence.

Responsibilities of Hospitals

Government hospitals are designated as registrars under the Civil Registration System (CRS). Private hospitals must report events to the registrar. This ensures families receive necessary certificates. Some states involve different departments in the registration process, leading to inconsistencies.

Centralised Digital Registration

Since October 1, 2023, all births and deaths must be digitally registered through a central portal. This system provides a single document for proof of birth, essential for various services. The data collected will contribute to the National Population Register (NPR) and other government records.

Issues in the Registration Process

The RGI has noted that some hospitals delay registration until approached by relatives. Others fail to report births and deaths, placing the onus on families. Additionally, registrars are not always proactive in making the process user-friendly, which can lead to delays in certificate issuance.

Vital Statistics Reporting

The RGI has not published the Vital Statistics of India report since 2020. This report is crucial for socio-economic planning and public health evaluation. Some states have published their own reports, but the lack of a national report limits comprehensive data analysis.

Recent Trends in Births and Deaths

Data from 2020 indicated a decline in registered births from 2.48 crore in 2019 to 2.42 crore. Conversely, registered deaths increased from 76.4 lakh in 2019 to 81.2 lakh in 2020. This trend raises concerns about population dynamics and healthcare effectiveness.

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